Bolton Church Institute School War Memorial

Jack Bromiley

Jack Bromiley was born in Tonge, Bolton on 6 May 1895.

He was the son of Stanley and Alice Emily Bromiley of 12 Romer Street, Tonge Fold, Bolton.

His father, Stanley Bromiley, worked as a general labourer and later as a foundryman.

Jack was a pupil of Ridgway’s Endowed School for his primary education. He attended Bolton Church Institute from 17 September 1906 to 30 July 1909 in Forms IIIA to VB, having won a Ridgway Scholarship for 3 years in 1906.

On the 1911 Census he is listed as working as an office boy at Chatwood’s Safe Works in Bolton

By his enlistment in 1914 he risen to the position of clerk and salesman.

Bromiley family tree - pdf

Jack's War

According to his Service Record, Jack was 5’ 6” in height, with fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His character is always described as 'Very Good' and his ability at least 'Satisfactory'.

Jack enlisted in Manchester on 5 December 1914 and joined the Plymouth Battalion of the Royal Marine Brigade.

He sailed with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to Egypt and Gallipoli, having two spells of illness during his time there and being invalided to UK in January 1916.

He was drafted to the Western Front in April 1917 and took part in the Flanders Offensive until wounded on 6 November. At that time he was sergeant of the 5th Platoon, B Company 2nd Royal Marine Battalion.

He died in the 61st Casualty Clearing Station at Dozinghem.

In July 1917, in readiness for the forthcoming Flanders offensive, groups of casualty clearing stations were placed at three positions called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem. The 4th, 47th and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Dozinghem and the military cemetery was used by them until early in 1918.

(British troops parodied the many Belgian village names ending in “-ghem” with some suitably medical-sounding variants.)

Bolton Journal and Guardian
30 November 1917

DIED OF WOUNDS

BROMILEY – In loving memory of Sergt. Jack Bromiley, R.M.L.I., who died in a clearing station on Nov. 12th, 1917, aged 22 years.

Father, in thy gracious keeping
Leave we now our loved one sleeping.

Fondly remembered by Father and Mother, Brothers and Sister, and Annie, Uncle, Aunt, and Cousins, and Mrs Yates, and Mr and Mrs Bradley and Family. 12 Romer-st., Tong Fold, Bolton.

In memory of Sergt J Bromiley R.M.L.I., who died of wounds Nov 12th, 1917.

We were pals together before we left home
We were pals when they ordered us across the foam.
Although they have laid you to rest in your grave,
Your memory I’ll cherish, dear pal, true and brave.

From his Pal, Sec-Lieut. J.W.Bennett (France)